Patient information

Cardiology

Find out what to expect from your appointment with our percutaneous coronary intervention service at Hammersmith Hospital.

About your appointment

We will book an appointment for you after we receive a referral from your GP. The date and time of your appointment will be sent to you via a letter in the post. If there is any doubt that the letter will not arrive in good time you will be contacted by phone.

You are welcome to bring a family member, friend, guardian or carer with you to the appointment. If English is not your first language or you may need help with translation, then please do bring a relative or friend who is able to understand English well in order to retain information and help organise your visit.

You are welcome to ask for a chaperone and we will endeavour to provide one for you.

We suggest you wear flat, fully covered shoes or trainers to your appointment as you may be asked to perform a treadmill test, if you are able to do so.

Before attending for any test, you are able to eat and drink as normal. You may want to bring a snack if you are going to be at the clinic for a while. There is drinking water available.

It is very important to bring all your medications to your appointment. Please remember to check your appointment letter for anything specific you may have been asked to bring with you. In addition, it would be helpful if you could bring the following:

full address and phone number
appointment card and appointment letter
GP's name and address
a list of questions you may want to ask your consultant

At your appointment

Upon arrival please visit the main reception. We will make every effort to ensure you are seen on time but sometimes a delay is unavoidable. Our team will ensure you are kept up to date about any delays.

The majority of patients can expect to be at the clinic for less than an hour. If you are attending some clinics for specific conditions you may need to have a number of tests performed on the same day as your consultation which may result in an attendance of up to three hours.

You will see a consultant or one of their team at your appointment. They will discuss the results of any tests you may have had as well as their findings and recommendations. You may be referred for further tests or your condition will be further managed in the community. The team will discuss next steps with you.

Please note that we are a teaching hospital, so medical students may be present for some appointments. If you do not wish to have them in the room please let the nurse or doctor know and the students will be asked to step outside.

After your appointment

Following your appointment, the doctor will make a diagnosis and will send recommendations and advice to your GP in a letter. You will receive a copy of this letter.